There are 4 ways to get from Darwin to Mackay by plane, train, bus, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly
best- Fly from Darwin International Airport (DRW) to Mackay (MKY)plane DRW - MKY
9h 14m$360–800Train, bus
- Take the train from Darwin to Alice Springstrain
- Take the bus from Alice Springs to Adelaidebus
- Take the train from Adelaide to Brisbanetrain
- Take the train from Roma Street to Mackaytrain
4d 22h$4,686–19,374Bus, train
- Take the bus from Darwin to Alice Springsbus
- Take the bus from Alice Springs to Adelaidebus
- Take the train from Adelaide to Brisbanetrain
- Take the bus from Brisbane Coach Terminal to Mackaybus
4d 22h$2,660–14,203Drive 2,831.6 km
- Drive from Darwin to Mackaycar 2,831.6 km
28h 28m$496–716
Darwin International Airport (DRW) to Mackay (MKY) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Darwin to Mackay is to fly which costs $360 - $800 and takes 9h 14m.
The fastest way to get from Darwin to Mackay is to fly which takes 9h 14m and costs $360 - $800.
The distance between Darwin and Mackay is 2195 km. The road distance is 2831.6 km.
The best way to get from Darwin to Mackay without a car is to train and bus which takes 4 days 22h and costs $4,600 - $20,000.
It takes approximately 9h 14m to get from Darwin to Mackay, including transfers.
Mackay is 30 min ahead of Darwin. It is currently 5:15 PM in Darwin and 5:45 PM in Mackay.
Yes, the driving distance between Darwin to Mackay is 2832 km. It takes approximately 28h 28m to drive from Darwin to Mackay.
There are 87+ hotels available in Mackay.
What companies run services between Darwin, NT, Australia and Mackay, QLD, Australia?
Virgin Australia, Qantas, and two other airlines fly from Darwin International Airport (DRW) to Mackay (MKY) 3 times a day.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Mackay via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 21m
- When
- Monday to Thursday
- Estimated price
- $310–2,000
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Mackay via Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 40m
- When
- Monday and Friday
- Estimated price
- $600–2,200
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Mackay via Cairns, Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 50m
- When
- Tuesday
- Estimated price
- $500–1,600
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Mackay via Brisbane, Rockhampton
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 30m
- When
- Tuesday and Thursday
- Estimated price
- $700–2,000
- Website
- virginaustralia.com
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Mackay via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $360–600
Train from Darwin to Alice Springs
- Ave. Duration
- 23h 10m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $2,222
- Book at
- https://bookings.greatsouthernrail.com.au/?_ga=2.27793852.1430812322.1538203551-1884130056.1538203551
- Saver Gold Single Cabin
- $2,222
- Everyday Gold Single Cabin
- $2,340
Train from Adelaide to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 2d 8h
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $2,190–13,000
- Book at
- https://bookings.greatsouthernrail.com.au/?_ga=2.27793852.1430812322.1538203551-1884130056.1538203551
- Gold
- $2,190
- Gold Premium
- $2,990
- Suite
- $8,500–13,000
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Roma Street to Mackay
- Ave. Duration
- 13h 23m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $100–3,519
- Book at
- https://queenslandrailtravel-booking.opendestinations.com/BookingSite/rail/search
- Website
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Pages/Timetable.aspx
- BQuick
- $100–140
- AChoice
- $170–230
- Gold Class
- $2,810
- Heritage Class
- $3,519
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- customerservice@greyhound.com.au
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Alice Springs to Adelaide
- Ave. Duration
- 20h 55m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $220–500
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $220–310
- Advantage
- $270–400
- Flexible
- $350–500
Bus from Darwin to Alice Springs
- Ave. Duration
- 21h 5m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $220–500
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $220–310
- Advantage
- $270–400
- Flexible
- $340–500
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.com.au/
Bus from Brisbane Coach Terminal to Mackay
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 41m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $120–210
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com.au
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